(PO‘IPŪ) –Ocean Safety and Kaua‘i Fire officials held a dedication ceremony on Tuesday, for the county’s newest lifeguard tower located off Nukumoi Point at Po‘ipū Beach Park.

Referred as the “Nukumoi tower,” it is now the county’s second lifeguard tower at Po‘ipū Beach, and the county’s 11thtower on Kaua‘i.

The tower was assembled and placed into service on April 20, six days after Kaua‘i’s devastating flood event.

“For a period after the flood, our south shore beaches were the only waters that were safe for swimming; therefore, it became very crowded here at Po‘ipū Beach,” said Ocean Safety Bureau Chief Kalani Vierra. “Thanks to the Kaua‘i Lifeguard Association, who donated the funds for the Nukumoi tower to the County of Kaua‘i, we were able to mobilize it ahead of schedule and provide a better presence at Po‘ipū Beach during a much needed time.”

At a total cost of $31,500, the new tower now provides improved visibility of Waiohai Beach, and will help to reduce the response time during emergencies. Additionally, as a mobile tower, lifeguards can easily move it to other areas of the beach when needed.

Ocean Safety officials relocated Po‘ipū’s original lifeguard tower on March 27, to an area on the east end of the park where lifeguards have a better view of Brenneke’s Beach.